Date:04/02/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/02/04/stories/2008020452120300.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Caging the innocent

Is the Indian Penal Code equal for all creatures, including human beings? In the case of animals, including wild and pet animals, they are kept in the zoos till their death in order to provide entertainment to the public. These animals are imprisoned for life despite not committing any crime. I suggest they should be kept for a short period and later should be left in their habitats.

A. Sreenivasa Rao

Visakhapatnam

Make it affordable

Homoeopathic treatment is believed to be cheapest with no side-effects. But it is slowly getting out of reach of the poor. While super speciality and ultra-modern homoeo hospitals that sprung up in the city recently to cater to the elite, the fee charged by a professional homoeopath is between Rs.125 and Rs.150 a month. Worse still, if the treatment is prolonged one or more than one member in a family needs treatment, it becomes a costly affair. I, therefore, appeal to the practising professional homoeopaths in the city to work out a methodology to make treatment affordable to all.

PVR Murty

Visakhapatnam

Reduce locker charges

The decision of the CMD of State Bank of India to consider reducing and fixing a ceiling on ATM charges is welcome. There is another issue which calls for similar decision. Within a period of 15 years, the locker charges have increased manifold without any additional benefit to the customers. This can also be reduced without causing any loss to SBI.

K.C. Mohanty

Visakhapatnam

Halt buses in 104 area

APSRTC should stop all ordinary, sub-urban and Pallevelugu buses at 104 Area bus stop. The bus drivers are not obliging the request of raised hands even though the buses are empty. Commuters of this area are forced to go by overcrowded autorickshaws or go to Marripalem and Industrial Estate, which are about 1.5 km. away.

Paidi Simhachalam

Visakhapatnam

Road encroached

Though Vizianagaram main road is widened, the pedestrians’ problems are not solved as the road is occupied by hawkers till the middle. The hawkers have settled on the sides of the road with their carts, giving no scope even to pedestrians. I appeal to the authorities concerned to clear the hawkers on the main road for the convenience of the public.

K.Sri Rama Murthy

Vizianagaram